Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-12-31
THE YEARS RECORD.
z. G. DUN & co. s REVIEW OF TRADE DURING
THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS.
APsriod Of Excessive Business Activity Closing With
Unusual Dullnsss-Ths Enormous Develop
ment Of Various Industries
Trade in the Past Week.

NEW YORK, December 30.-R. G, Dun
& Co., in their weekly review Of trade
say: A year of enormous business, closes
with.a little more than 'seasonable dullness.
Transactions much beyond the average in
September and October prepared for some
slackening of trade in November and De.
cember, which has been increased by tariff
uncertainty, by several strikes of impor.
tance and by a speculative advance in
prices. Unusual pressure for money dur,
ing the fall, on the other hand, caused ad,
justments which prevent severe pressure,
as the year closes. and except at few
western points, the money markets are
comparatively easy with collections al.
most everywhere fair. and at most points
reasonably good.
The dying year has seen 12,T24 miles
of railway finished, making the mileage
for the United States $50, 10, but changes
of freight rates at the West tend steadily
downward, lessening the prospect fol
building next year. The Pennsylvania re-
ports a decrease of $l70, 900 in net earn.
itgs for November, and the Erie de.
crease of $24, 233.
The iron industry, after the largest
years output on record, is rapidly cutting
down production, prices, and, at many
points, wages. Since March the average
OF all grades at Philadelphia has declined
.42 dollars, and of rails &c. Sales of %,
600 tons Alabama and Tennessee iron are
reported, but no sales of rails, for which
next years orders cover only 200, 900 tons.
The cotton industry records for the year
larger productions, sales, and profits, than
for 1885; but the woolen manufacture is
described as having about the most unsat-
islactory year it has ever experienced,
with business smaller and profits smaller
than last years. Enormous importations
have lett large stock of dress goods.
Overcoatings are moving fairly, but fine
goods at to 10 per cent decline.
Cosl production has been the largest on
record, but the market closed with some
excitement, the Lehigh strike continuing,
while dispatches affirm that the Reading
viii HtllhO lhC XIV
Gerry trade has been very large for the year,
and closes with fair activity, notwithstand-
ing the speculation in coffee and the rise in
sugar following reports Of a decrease OF
1862, 600 tons in the beet product. Provis-
ions hold the recent advance. Beef is
again u shade dearer, and there has been a
rise of cents in oil. Cotton is shade
lower, but breadstufis have risen, wheat
and corn about cent each.
The holiday trade has generally been
large, and the recent change in the weather
brings greater activity in some branches.
But the pending strikes and controversies
abOut wages and uncertainties as to the
future in some of the largest industries
operate unfavorably. Ease Of money and
belief that the Reading strike would not
last, have helped stocks TO improve until
to day, when the day opened with some
reaction. Hopes Of activity and an ad-
the great movement of foreign capital
hithcrward for investment has ceased, at
least for the time.
The treasury has added STA, 900 to its
deposits with banks, and 81, 600, 900 TO the
circulation during the week. 1t has now
increased the circulation of coin and paper
about $64, 600, 600 since July lst, and
$3.50, 000, 600 since July lst, 1856. The in.
complete returns Of clearing house ex'
changes indicate an aggregate for the year
exceeding Sal 900, 600, 600. with gain Of
about 4 per cent over last year, but No
vember showed small decrease, and in
December the decrease in payments haf
been considerable.
The years failures show decrease ol
200 in number, but a large increase Of
$50, 0OO, 900 liabilities, as follows: 1857
number 963i; liabilities $l67, $50, 944
average $l7,392. 1ss6-number, 8, ,S34
liabilities, Sll4,644, ,1l9; average $ll ,65l.
The returns for the Dominion Of Canada
show 1892 failures, with $l6,3ll, 745 La
bilties, averages $l1, 1903 The failures in
the Dominion were one In every 81 bust
ness persons; in the United States they
average one in every | II persons.